Case Study - Katy Perry

Case Study - Katy Perry

Katy Perry is an american pop singer who rose to fame in 2008 with songs like 'I kissed a girl' and 'Hot N Cold'. She has sold over 11 million albums, 81 million singles and has attained 5 number #1 singles.

How her pop videos appeal to her target audience and reflect her private life

Katy Perry's target audience is young girls in the 14-17 age group. To appeal to her age group she has to:

 1. be like an older sister/friend 

2. reflect some of the anxieties that young girls have 

3. be someone the young girls can admire and want to be (appear sexy in a non - threatening way)

How her pop videos appeal to her target audience and reflect her private life

Hot N cold (2008)

One of Katy Perry's earliest songs is Hot N cold. The song is a parody of the 'runaway bride' stereotype, Katy Perry plays the part of the bride who is stood up, whilst the man acts as the 'runaway bride'. This shows Katy Perry in a masculine/empowering way as she is chasing after the 'runaway bride' which is usually what the man would do. This is also seen at 2:29 also shows women as empowering as the women outnumber the man and seem to be ganging up on him.

Last Friday night (2010)



This music video is intertextual, as the start could be compared to the opening of a movie, as well as the credits at the end. The video shows Katy Perry's audience that it is okay to be different, as despite the fact that she has a makeover, she returns to her original appearance at the end and earns respect for throwing the party.

Firework (2010)



This music video is similar to 'last friday night' and shows the same message that it is okay to be different. The use of the fireworks is to show Katy Perry's target audience that they all have something special inside of them, this presents the video as being empowering to females, however the use of men in the video may also present the video as being empowering to people in general.

California Girls (2010)



Unlike her previous videos, this music video presents Katy Perry in a sexualised way. The music video was shot at the time when Katy Perry was  married to controversial actor/comedian Russell Brand. The marriage to Russell Brand and her new image may of alienated some of her younger fans, who saw Katy Perry as empowering, without the need of a man.

Wide Awake (2012)



This video was released soon after Katy Perry's divorce to Russell Brand. It reconnects with her female fans and may act as an 'apology' video towards them. The music video also shows the message of female empowerment, with Katy Perry punching the man at the end, who may represent Russell Brand. The younger version of Katy Perry may represent Katy Perry as regaining her innocence.

Roar 



The message of this video is similar to fireworks, which is self empowerment. The video shows how Katy Perry does not need a man to be powerful, as we see that Katy Perry survives in the jungle on her own.